Oyster Cards

David Kurten: I understand from a report in the Evening Standard1 that TfL intends to stop accepting cash to top up Oyster cards in all London Underground stations. This step will disadvantage people who do not have bank accounts, many of whom are on low incomes. It will also impact secondary school pupils, who are due to lose their free travel passes in November and will find it impossible to top-up theirOyster cardsif they don’t have a bank account. What is your thinking behind this development?
1https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/cash-payments-scrapped-tube-london-tfl-a4549646.html

The Mayor: Since the coronavirus pandemic, cash revenue across London Underground has decreased by approximately 88 per cent and cash transactions have decreased by approximately 83 per cent. Since May 2020, Transport for London (TfL) has temporarily operated nearly 200 of its stations (approximately 70 per cent) as cashless as part of a number of coronavirus measures introduced during the pandemic.
Customers wishing to pay by cash for their top ups/tickets can do so at their local Oyster Ticket Stop, of which there are nearly 4,000 across London in close proximity to London Underground stations. Customers without a bank account can also benefit from contactless by using a pre-paid card to pay as you go.
TfL is currently engaging with a wide range of stakeholders on these temporary measures and on future arrangements.